 What he did: Dines, who is in his first full season as the team's setter, had 62 assists with six blocks and 10 aces as Drake took second place at the Northgate tournament over the weekend.

 What he said: "It felt good. The setter gets a lot of credit but with the hitters I have, my job's pretty easy. It's been a great season."

 What's next: Drake (28-5, 14-0 MCAL) holds the No. 1 seed heading into the league playoffs, which begin Wednesday. "It's a fresh season from here," Dines said. "I'm excited to see what we can do. We're just trying to take it one game at a time and reach our full potential."

 Off the court: Dines is hardly a one-trick pony, joining the team immediately following the conclusion of Drake's stellar basketball season. In the fall, he's a member of the Pirates soccer team, and plans to spend the summer improving his soccer and basketball skills. "Sports are definitely a major part of my life," he said.

 Trivial matter: Despite his success in his three main sports, Dines says his best sport is ping pong. He used to have a table set up in his garage and would play with his brother and friends all the time.

 Coach John Hedlund: "Sam is the quarterback of the team. He runs the offense. He's at least one of the best if not the best setter the program has had over the last few years — and there have been good ones. He brings an element of calmness on the court; his demeanor is steady. He's one of the key reasons why we are 14-0 in the league and going into the playoffs as the No. 1 seed."